Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum
Kaiser Santa Clara Internal Medicine was accepted by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) as a Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum (LMRC) Site in 2020, one of only a few such residency sites nationwide. The Lifestyle Medicine educational component is taught as part of the standard residency curriculum for all residents. Those residents who opt to pursue full board certification in Lifestyle Medicine are given designated time during outpatient rotations to complete the activities component of the LM curriculum and are eligible to sit for the Lifestyle Medicine boards upon completion of residency.
Lifestyle Medicine involves the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic approaches, such as a predominantly whole food, plant-based diet, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substance use, and pursuit of other non-drug modalities, to treat, reverse and prevent chronic disease.
– American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Why Should Kaiser residents be educated in Lifestyle Medicine?
The specialty of Lifestyle Medicine dovetails exceptionally well with Kaiser’s mission statement:
“Kaiser Permanente exists to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve.”
According to the World Health Organization, healthier lifestyle choices could prevent up to 40% of cancer and 80% of heart disease and stroke. Momentum is growing throughout Kaiser to embrace this expanding field. Several Kaiser medical centers have launched or plan to launch their own Lifestyle Medicine clinics. Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara embraces the promotion of a healthy lifestyle to our patients. Out of over 400 internal medicine residency programs in the US, we are one of 7 programs in the country who are members of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and embracing the curriculum We believe that educating internal medicine residents in Lifestyle Medicine – and enabling interested residents to certify in Lifestyle Medicine during residency – will position them well to serve as clinicians, teachers, and leaders within this growing field. We believe in innovation and preparing residents for future practice.
We believe that educating all internal medicine residents in Lifestyle Medicine – and enabling interested residents to certify in Lifestyle Medicine during residency – will position them well to serve as clinicians, teachers, and leaders within this growing field.
